Gruden takes over in Oakland

By The Associated Press

Jon Gruden was welcomed back for a second stint as Oakland Raiders coach with an elaborate news conference.

Gruden was greeted by owner Mark Davis Tuesday with video highlights from his first tenure in Oakland, nearly 20 years after he was first hired as coach as an unproven 34year-old by late owner Al Davis.

“I feel this is the thing to do, what I want to do,” Gruden said. “This is an organization that I want to be a part of. I’m all in. I only live one time.”

Gruden coached the Raiders from 1998-2001 before being traded to Tampa Bay 16 years ago.

About 50 former Raiders were on hand for the event, including several of Gruden’s former players — Charles Woodson, Jerry Rice, Tim Brown.

Mark Davis said he had been trying to bring Gruden back for six years, ever since taking over the franchise after his father’s death and the opportunity was finally right this year.

Davis said he first got an inkling Gruden might be ready to return when he met with him when the Raiders spent a week in Florida. It became more serious when they met on Christmas Eve before the Raiders played in Philadelphia in a game Gruden worked for ESPN.

That led Davis to decide to cut ties with Jack Del Rio.

Ravens

Coach John Harbaugh promoted linebackers coach Don Martindale to defensive coordinator, assuring a seamless transition in the wake of Dean Pees’ retirement. Martindale, 54, has been coaching Baltimore linebackers since 2012. He was the defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos in 2010.

Chiefs

Kansas City promoted running backs coach Eric Bieniemy to offensive coordinator, filling the job that Matt Nagy left when he was hired as head coach of the Chicago Bears. Chiefs coach Andy Reid announced the promotion in a statement. Bieniemy has spent five seasons with the Chiefs, joining the franchise when Reid was hired as head coach. He has experience as an offensive coordinator in a two-year stint at Colorado, his alma mater.

Panthers

Carolina fired offensive coordinator Mike Shula and quarterbacks coach Ken Dorsey, two days after a playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints. Shula spent the past seven seasons with Carolina, working as quarterbacks coach before becoming offensive coordinator in 2013. The Panthers finished 19th in total offense, fourth in rushing offense and 28th in passing this season.